Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-06-10
To the editor of the Alexandria Gazette:

To the editor Of the Alexandria Gazette;
1t is gratifying to all lovers OF harmony to
observe that the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE and
Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton, the distinguished
civil service champion, are for once in full
accord. Mr. Eaton, in a recent article, says
that included in ths proper sphere OF party
is "bringing into Office those officials ana
those only, who will make the laws the peo-
pie demand and execute the policy which
they have approved" This uiterance the
GAZETTE fully endorses, but declares that
in making it tho great civil service reiormer
surrenders his whole ground, or, in other
words. comedies outright That TO the victors
belong the spois of office.
Let us examine this assertion. In respect
TO those who make The laws" there has
never been any difference of opinion as to
the proprieiy Of voters choosing 10 both
State and federal legislatures those, and
those only, who most accurately represent
their views The whole question Turns,
therefore, on such other officials as can be
said to reflect the policy of an administra-
lion. Every one agrees that cabinet minis
ters, representatives at foreign courts. and
few other prominent functionaries should
change with o President, ut least il not OF
tho same politics, but beyond this thero are
many weighty reasons, provided there is 9
fair distribution between parties and locali-
ties, why change should not extend. The
present limits do not allow the discussion Of
these reasons further than 10 say that places
in the Classified service, i. O., those under the
present civil service law, have no further con-
nection with the policy ofan administration
| a.. AZ f,,ato, Al
charge OF duty, and that G kind of duty with
which political sympathes have not. and can
not have, the slightest connection. The sole
aim of the law is to protect the interests Of
the whole people by keeping out of public
employment in non political Offices incom
petent or unfit persons, and, as far as prac;i.
cable without interfering with the power Of
removal. by keeping in and promoting the
most efficient public servants. rs this Is
professedly the object Of all parties, it is diff
Gcult TO sec how the strict enforcement OF
the law can have any effect inconsistent
with the policy Of either
In conclusion let it be said once more that
the civil service reform insists that in Cling
the subordinate and essentially ministerial
offices oil government political affiliations
should be no more regarded than in filling
these Of any other great corporation. The
conduct of metropolitan journal is not af
fected one way or other by the way its
book keepers, mailing clerks or compositors
vote, or by them at all except as they faith
fully discharge their respective duties. The
policy of a great railway company or pub
| fishing house is no more influenced by the
| political sympathies OF their clerks and ope-
ratives than BY the color of their hair When
this doctrine is once fully recognized in re.
gard TO State and federal employees, and
not until that time, we shall see the work OF
the government conducted on business prin-
ciples, and the immoral use Of public patron
age as reward for partisan service a thing
of the past. l.. NJ. B.
Fairfax county, Va, June 10, 1887